Hotel O

“Who cares? I’m an adult. I can do whatever the fuck I want.”

“We had a deal, though. We’d drink together or not at all.”

“Exactly! So are you coming with me or not?” I ask, swaying the bottle.

He sighs out loud. “Where do you wanna go?”

“Downtown. To that raunchy-ass club at the end of that street … What’s the name again?”

“The Factory,” he says.

“Yeah, that one.” I take another big gulp. “I need some distraction tonight.”

“Bad day?” he asks.

“Don’t ask,” I reply. “Just tell me where I can pick you up.”

“I’m just getting off work. I’ll be home in like ten minutes.”

“Perfect. I’ll be there.”

“As long as you let me drive,” he says. “And don’t you come here with your car or I’m taking your keys and you won’t get them back for a week. Got it?”

God, I love this man, but sometimes, he needs to let me do my thing.

“Yeah, yeah,” I reply. “I know how to take care of myself.”

“Course you do. See you in a few.”

“Bye, bitch,” I say, snorting as I hang up the phone.

I take another sip and then put down the bottle, grab my keys, and march out the door again.

I walk all the way to his home. If I took a cab, I’d stand in front of a locked door anyway, so no use in getting there quick. Plus, I don’t want him getting mad at me too. I need my partner in crime tonight. Need to relax and get this shit off my mind just for a few hours.

When I finally get there, the lights are already on, so I ring the doorbell.

He opens the door half naked, rubbing a towel across his chest. “Whoa. Put some clothes on,” I mutter.

“Sorry, had to take a shower,” he replies, sniggering.

I lean in and take a sniff. “You smell like old grannies perfume.”

He raises his arm and smells his armpits. “Hmm, I don’t smell it.”

“Been hustling again?” I say, grinning.

“Like I’d tell you,” he replies, winking. “Be right back.”

“Put on a proper shirt, dude,” I call after him as he walks away.

A few minutes later, we’re both getting into his car, driving downtown to bust some moves and drink until we can no longer stand.

“So rough day, huh?” Flynn mutters as he parks the car. “What happened?”

“Ugh, I don’t wanna talk about it,” I say as I open the door and get out. I want to put that bastard D out of my head.

Flynn gets out too and follows me inside. “Okay, well, as long as you’re not gonna sulk while we’re here.”

The music immediately blasts our ears, making any proper conversation impossible. “Nah, I wanna party and get drunk tonight!” I yell, making a woohoo noise right after and diving into the crowd with him.

I grab his hands and drag him to the dance floor, immediately cracking some moves. I love the beat and the rhythm of the music. It allows me to lose my mind and let go. Especially when I have Flynn with me. He’s my rock. The one who always picks me up after a bad day. A certified best friend without benefits.

I met him after my parents moved into that new fancy neighborhood and forced me to make friends with the neighbors. It wasn’t so bad after all, considering Flynn lived there, and he was as raunchy and fucked up as I was, even at that age. We used to sneak out to go to secret parties and drink when we weren’t supposed to. Good times.

I couldn’t ever imagine my life without him, though our relationship is strictly platonic. Not because we decided it, but because we rolled into it.

I don’t think I’ve ever thought of Flynn as anything else than my best friend, and that’s okay. I need him just for that reason today.

I just wanna dance and cool off. And maybe score some good times while we’re here. Both of us, in fact, because I’ve been watching these girls in the back constantly eyeing him. Guess tonight is his lucky night.

“Hey,” I say, pulling him close, “see those chicks in the back?”

He follows my gaze. “What? Them? Nah, I’m not interested.”

“Ah, c’mon, I can be your wingman-woman.” I laugh.

“I’m here with you now,” he says.

“Such a gentleman,” I muse, raising a brow. “But I don’t mind.”

“Kat, I had enough chicks this week to last me a lifetime,” he replies, winking.

“Course you have, playboy.” I smack him on the butt. “Just keep busting some moves. I’ll grab us some drinks.”

“Kat …” He sighs, trying to grab me, but I avoid his grasp and stick out my tongue, which makes him roll his eyes.

Then I proceed to buy two Bacardi Sprites so we can have some fun. However, when I get back to the dance floor, Flynn’s nowhere to be found.